RADIO
EJ Crowell Draws Praise From Ryan Grubb
Alabama true freshman running back EJ Crowell was one of the top overall prospects in the Class of 2026, and given the Tide's struggles running the football over the last two seasons, he is expected to play a significant role on offense in Year 1. In a media availability during camp, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb praised the talented newcomer. "EJ's young, super explosive," Grubb said. "Runs out over his toes, has good balance. He's thick with the ball. He runs physical. He runs bigger than he is. He's got speed in the long end. Sky's the limit for him, but he's got to learn the game. He's got to know how to practice, and he's got a good shot." Alabama's leading rusher from last year, Jam Miller, tallied just 504 yards. Daniel Hill finished second on the team with 284 rushing yards. He is back for the Tide in 2026, but Crowell has the opportunity to become the featured back in Grubb's offense right away if he can live up to his potential early in his career.
Source: Charlie Potter - On3
Source: Charlie Potter - On3
Max Clark Can Provide Five-Category Upside the Rest of the Way
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark made his major-league debut on July 31 against the Athletics and went 3-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI, two runs scored, and a walk in the team's 13-1 blowout victory. He's gone 8-for-24 (.333) with a home run, four RBI, and four runs scored in the early going in his first six big-league games. The 21-year-old former third overall pick in 2023 is the Tigers' top prospect and the No. 13 overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, and he is already making an immediate impact in the majors. In 90 games (418 plate appearances) at Triple-A Toledo before his big-league call-up, Clark was slashing .276/.368/.434 with an .802 OPS, 11 home runs, 42 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 65 runs scored for the Mud Hens. The left-handed-hitting outfielder has as much power/speed upside as any young player in the big leagues, and yet he's rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues still. If you need a spark, Clark is your guy. Paired with infielder Kevin McGonigle, the Tigers have two excellent table-setters at the top of their lineup for the foreseeable future.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Dwight Phillips Jr. Set for Increased Role in Georgia Backfield
Georgia running backs Nate Frazier and Chauncy Bowens are the clear lead ball carriers in the backfield, but with Kentucky transfer Dante Dowdell dealing with a serious injury stemming from an ATV accident, third-year back Dwight Phillips Jr. is the top candidate to work as the RB3 this season, according to Jordan D. Hill of Dawgs247. In two seasons in Athens, Phillips has rushed 41 times for 243 yards and two touchdowns. He's been seldom utilized, but Georgia has long believed in the RB-by-committee approach, and the Mableton native is in position to make an impact as a junior. "Dwight has worked his tail off," head coach Kirby Smart said. "He's had a great offseason. He works really hard." Although his production will be capped to start the season behind Frazier and Bowens, an injury or two could propel him into a significant role in Mike Bobo's offense.
Source: Jordan D. Hill - Dawgs247
Source: Jordan D. Hill - Dawgs247
Malachi Fields Making a Claim for Giants' WR2 Role
Behind Pro Bowler Malik Nabers (knee), the New York Giants have one of the league's more wide-open competitions for meaningful receiver work, and The Athletic's Dan Duggan believes that rookie Malachi Fields has made an early claim to the No. 2 role. Duggan highlights Fields' size and physicality, which have allowed him to work through underneath traffic while still making downfield plays in contested catch situations. Duggan sees his 2026 role as that of a vertical field stretcher, and with the Giants expected to see an uptick in 12 personnel usage, the rookie could become a staple of two-receiver sets. Fields is RotoBaller's WR89, making him a potential bargain if he's able to earn regular usage in what could be an ascending offense.
Source: Dan Duggan
Source: Dan Duggan
Samy Natera Jr. Now Firmly in the Mix for Saves in Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels rookie left-handed reliever Samy Natera Jr. is now firmly in the mix for saves in Anaheim after the Halos traded away relievers Kirby Yates and Ryan Zeferjahn at the deadline on Monday. Hard-throwing right-hander Ben Joyce will surely be involved as well, but Natera is worth consideration in deeper fantasy baseball leagues for managers who are desperate for saves. The Mexican hurler is currently rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available. In the team's 4-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on Thursday, Natera gave up a hit while walking none and striking out two in 1 1/3 innings for his second save of the season. The 26-year-old southpaw has looked good of late, giving up just one earned run with three walks and 23 strikeouts in his last 11 appearances out of the bullpen since he allowed a career-high four earned runs in two-thirds of an inning to the Boston Red Sox on the Fourth of July. Natera has a 2.16 ERA (1.90 FIP), 0.88 WHIP, and 38:10 K:BB in his first 25 relief innings at the big-league level.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Makai Lemon Misses Another Practice
After a closed walkthrough session on Thursday, Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon is absent from his third straight public practice as he deals with a hamstring injury that has kept him out since Tuesday. With DeVonta Smith also missing time, the offense has reportedly faced some stumbles in recent practices. While Smith's role atop the depth chart is not in question, Lemon's absence has opened the door for offseason acquisition Dontayvion Wicks to stake a claim to the Eagles' WR2 spot, as seen by several reporters on the beat. Used primarily as a slot receiver on his way to earning the Biletnikoff Award at USC, Lemon should still see an important role in Philadelphia's offense as Wicks profiles more as a boundary replacement for A.J. Brown. Lemon is RotoBaller's WR46, and if he can return without missing extended time, an expectation to see the second most targets on the team is still not out of the question.
Source: Dave Zangaro
Source: Dave Zangaro
DeVonta Smith Absent Again on Friday
Dealing with a hamstring injury, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) is missing another practice on Friday, as reported by Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Smith has been absent from practice since Tuesday, with the offense working through a pair of up-and-down practices without him before a closed walkthrough session on Thursday. With Sean Mannion serving as the team's fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons, the Eagles are looking to establish some consistency following the departure of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown. With Smith and 2026 first-round pick Makai Lemon both dealing with hamstring injuries in recent days, much of that responsibility has fallen to offseason addition Dontayvion Wicks, though Smith still profiles as a fantasy difference-maker who ranks as RotoBaller's WR12 in his first season in a primary role.
Source: Dave Zangaro
Source: Dave Zangaro
Gunnar Henderson Unlikely to Sign With Baltimore Long-Term
ESPN's Buster Olney, who was appearing on Just Baseball, said that Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who is represented by super agent Scott Boras, "in all likelihood isn't going to sign there long-term." It comes after the Orioles traded away the former first overall pick, switch-hitting All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman, to the division-rival Boston Red Sox on Monday for a giant prospect haul. The 25-year-old Henderson has two years of team control remaining, but after that, Olney thinks he will bolt for the open market. The former second-rounder in 2019 broke out with 37 home runs, 92 RBI, and 21 stolen bases in his second full MLB season with Baltimore in 2024, and although he had a career-high 30 steals the following season, he hit just 17 home runs in 2025. Henderson has continued to decline in 2026, as he's currently slashing .218/.297/.393 with a career-low .690 OPS, 18 home runs, 47 RBI, 65 runs scored, and only eight steals in 114 games and 518 plate appearances. His batted-ball metrics do not point to a turnaround anytime soon.
Source: ESPN - Buster Olney
Source: ESPN - Buster Olney
Cyrus Allen Returning to Practice
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen (shin) is in pads on Friday and expected to see his first full-contact work of training camp after exiting Saturday's practice on a cart and missing almost a week with a shin injury. At 5'11" and 180 pounds, Allen had earned praise as one of the Chiefs' early camp standouts after being selected in the fifth round of the 2026 draft, and he will look to keep that momentum going in a more physical setting. While he remains outside of RotoBaller's top 300 players for 2026, he has become a popular dynasty pickup in recent weeks and could prove to be a valuable stash if he's able to carve out a role in an Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes offense looking to rebound from a pair of down seasons.
Source: Jesse Newell
Source: Jesse Newell
Twins to Promote Top Infield Prospect Kaelen Culpepper to Major Leagues
The Minnesota Twins are promoting top infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper to the major leagues, according to Aaron Gleeman. Culpepper is currently viewed as the team's No. 2 prospect (behind only Walker Jenkins) and the overall No. 32 prospect in the sport on MLB.com. The budding infielder has battled injuries this season, but when on the field at Triple-A St. Paul, he has been nothing short of dominant. Through 74 games at the top club in the system, the former 21st overall selection has posted a .271/.367/.478 line with a .845 OPS. He has gone deep 14 times, added 15 doubles, and even swiped 17 bags. During the 2025 season, Culpepper hit 20 home runs and stole 25 bags over a 113-game stint. Managers should expect the infielder to see an everyday role at shortstop going forward. He is a priority target on the waiver wire in all formats given his elite five-category potential.
Source: Aaron Gleeman
Source: Aaron Gleeman
Adley Rutschman Hits in the Cages on Thursday
Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist) hit in the indoor cage aggressively on Thursday after throwing to the bases on the field, according to MLB.com. Rutschman has been on the 10-day injured list since July 20 with inflammation in his left wrist. The 28-year-old switch-hitting backstop is making progress, although he will still likely need a minor-league rehab assignment before making his Red Sox debut, which probably won't come until around mid-August, barring a setback. The Red Sox sent a big package of prospects to the Baltimore Orioles for Rutschman at the trade deadline on Monday, giving them a major upgrade at catcher whenever he's fully recovered from his wrist injury. Rutschman has battled injuries since last year and is hitting .251/.331/.433 with a .764 OPS, eight home runs, 47 RBI, and 30 runs scored in 67 games across 284 plate appearances this year. The BoSox are hoping the three-time All-Star can return to his pre-injury form and help the team get into the postseason. He has just 17 homers in the last two seasons combined after hitting 52 long balls in his first three years in the league with the O's. UPDATE: Interim manager Chad Tracy said on Friday that Rutschman could start a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend, per the Boston Herald's Mac Cerullo.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Romeo Doubs Returns to Practice
New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs returned to practice on Friday, with team reporter Karen Guregian noting that his absence from the last two practices was personal in nature and not injury-related. After signing a four-year, $68 million contract this offseason, Doubs had gotten off to a slow start in his first training camp with the Patriots but was picking up momentum in more recent, and more physical, padded practices. The fifth-year receiver has acknowledged that Josh McDaniels' offense is unlike any he was a part of in Green Bay, but having made obvious strides before his absence, he'll look to pick things back up where he left them. At RotoBaller's WR53, Doubs could provide excellent late-round value as the WR2 in an offense that scored the third most touchdowns in 2025 and appears to have only gotten better in year two under McDaniels and quarterback Drake Maye.
Source: Karen Guregian
Source: Karen Guregian
Garrett Crochet Unlikely to be Stretched Out by End of September
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said that left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder, lat) stretching out to six innings by the end of September is "probably not feasible," according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. "If he's healthy and right, and he looks like Garrett Crochet, I think we'd be foolish not to consider that," Tracy said when asked if Crochet could be used as a reliever. The Red Sox plan on getting the 27-year-old two-time All-Star back before the end of the regular season, but it could come as a reliever instead of a starter, which is bad news for fantasy managers who have been stashing him in single-year formats. After finishing second in the American League Cy Young voting in 2025 in his first year in Boston, Crochet has made only six starts in 2026 and allowed 23 runs (21 earned) while walking 11 and striking out 37 in 30 innings pitched. Even if Crochet makes it back as a starter in the final month of the regular season, he won't have much time to help fantasy managers, and he'll have an extremely limited ceiling if he's not stretched all the way out.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Chase Meidroth Hits Two Long Balls in Extra-Inning Loss to Boston
Chicago White Sox infielder Chase Meidroth broke out in a big way in Thursday's wild 12-11 loss at Fenway Park to the Boston Red Sox by going 3-for-5 out of the leadoff spot with two home runs, four RBI, two walks, and one strikeout to boost his season batting average to .275 and his OPS to .757. Both of Meidroth's homers were two-run shots, one in the third inning off lefty Ranger Suarez, and the other in the 10th inning off lefty Aroldis Chapman. It was nice to see from the 25-year-old, who was 4-for-21 in his last seven games. The 25-year-old former fourth-rounder from the University of San Diego is now hitting .275/.352/.405 with 11 home runs, 44 RBI, 67 runs scored, and two stolen bases across his 407 at-bats in 2026 in just his second year in the big leagues with the Pale Hose. So far in August, Meidroth has been hot, going 6-for-17 (.353) with two homers, four RBI, and five runs scored, making him a waiver-wire consideration for infield depth in deeper leagues. He's rostered in just 34% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kenny Gainwell Not Practicing Friday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell is not practicing on Friday, as indicated by Pewter Report. Gainwell has drawn praise from the local beat as a training camp standout, with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson recently telling reporters, "He is super versatile, and he is great with the ball in his hands," adding, "we will continue to find out where we can put him in the best spots." Gainwell's 73 receptions were the fourth most by a running back in 2025, and assuming his absence is not a prolonged one, he could step seamlessly into Rachaad White's vacated pass-catching role that has allowed for at least 50 receptions in three of the last four seasons. How much additional work he sees on the ground remains to be seen, but at RotoBaller's RB36, Gainwell is a potential late-round sleeper who could thrive in Robinson's wide zone offense.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
